Do the Paralympics Change Public Perception?

Rachel_Scope

We'd love to know if you think the Paralympics Games change the public's perception of disabilities.

Does it improve understanding of disabilities? Does it have no effect at all?

Let us know.

Jimm_Scope

Yes

I am not a huge sports person, but I do think the paralympics is slowly changing views. It cannot do so alone, but is just one part of a many-faceted movement which we are all a part of.

I will say though, I've not liked some of the advertising I've seen about it. Many which seem to be attempts to change perceptions around disability but only seem, to me at least, highlight the disability more than the natural talent of the athletes.

Albus_Scope

Yes

It's been great to see the paralympics getting more positive coverage this year at least. Though every time I turned on channel 4, it was always swimming. Nothing else, just swimming. 😆

Cantilip

My hero is Andy Murray. It's daft. I'm twice his age. I have never played tennis. It's the true grit, the determination to overcome. It doesn't matter that my default reaction to acute adversity is to burst into tears. That's OK, gets it out of my system. There is something that says I can get past this.

The difference is the people who follow tennis have repeatedly followed Andy through injury, pain, surgery, physio, back onto the court. But the public doesn't see that with the Paralympians and I don't think they have the time/imagination to work out what it takes. I don't think it impacts anything like as much as it could.

Rachel_Scope

That's a really good point @Cantilip. It's easy to take for granted what the paralympians can do as they make it look so easy. I'm sure even those with disabilities would struggle to appreciate what they have to go through to become a paralympian, so it would be even more difficult for those without to understand.

Albus_Scope

Yes

Yeah the wheelchair rugby was quite the sight! I could feel some of those impacts from my monitor @wendy41 they weren't taking any prisoners.

Katie213

Yes

Definitely changes peoples opinion, unfortunately not always for the better. I overheard a group discussing how Paralympians show what disabled people can do and while other's are 'lazy and can't be bothered'. Clearly no concept of different people and how their disabilities affect them. Am I the only one who finds that it gives people exceedingly high expectations of the fitness/abilities the average disabled person? I agree with @Cantilip more coverage of the athletes training is needed to show what it takes to get there.

Siwheels73

No

Until the massive chasm between e amount of coverage of the Olympics and that of the Paralympics is closed, then the latter will always be the smaller cousin of the former. There is very little explanation of the various categories of disability, which makes it hard for the average disabled person to understand and appreciate the journey and dedication of the athletes. Finally, until disability sport is funded to the same degree as able-bodied port, the Gulf will remain, I fear.

Are things getting better? Slowly, yeah, but…

Rachel_Scope

@Katie123 That's so sad that you overheard that. They should see the irony in their comment, are they an athlete themselves? I see your point about giving a false impression of disabled people's abilities. Again though, people need to understand that not everyone is an athlete, disability or not. It takes a lot of dedication to get to the level of an Olympian. I completely agree that seeing the Paralympian's journeys would be a great way to help people understand what goes into it.

@siwheels73 The coverage of the Paralympics has definitely improved over the years but I agree, there's still a long way to go. It would be wonderful if disabled sport received the same coverage and funding, however I just don't see it happening. Hopefully one day we'll be proved wrong.

Amaya_Ringo

I think people who have disgusting opinions will warp or taint anything to perpetuate those opinions. Sadly :/

I think Sarah Storey expressed it really well yesterday. The Paralympics are a metaphor for what disabled people could achieve if there was proper support and integration in society to make it happen.

kc1978

Yes

I think generally yes.

My only thoughts is that many sports are still completely out of reach or equipment so overly priced/expensive to even start many sports as a hobby.

I think those in larger cities may have a slight advantage, but those living in rural Britain, it's impossible.

I hope things improve. The problem being that the Paralympics are once every 4 years, there is little to no coverage outside of this.

Positive yes, but this has yet to improve access to sports for most disabled people.